<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The NBA's oldest player is ready for more. Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo, who will turn 42 next month, said Thursday he would like to return for an 18th NBA season. Mutombo planned to retire after each of the past two seasons, but his success filling in for Yao Ming each season convinced him to postpone those plans in order to prolong his career as one of the best defensive players in league history. "I'm going to consider to keep playing basketball," said Mutombo, saying his return will depend on reaching a contract agreement with the Rockets. "The next part will be to tell my lawyer, David Falk. My body and my mind is responding to the thrill of the game. The coaches and the fans and everyone are in there. "I talked to my wife and kids a lot this week, especially my children. (They) want me to play one more year." Mutombo, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, averaged three points and 5.1 rebounds in an average of 15.8 minutes per game last season. But he was rarely playing before Yao was sidelined by a season-ending injury Feb. 26. In his 25 games as the Rockets' starting center, Mutombo averaged 4.4 points and 6.6 rebounds, making 57.7 percent of his shots over 20.2 minutes per game. Mutombo's 3,278 blocked shots are second in league history, behind only Hakeem Olajuwon's 3,830. "When I came into this league to the time I walk away, I want to be remembered for one thing: that I was one of the great shot blockers who ever played," Mutombo said late in the season. "To see the things I'm still doing today at the age of 41, I wonder myself why I haven't lost my timing." Rockets general manager Daryl Morey has hoped Mutombo would return next season. Morey said it would be difficult to commit the resources needed to fill the role Mutombo has played behind Yao, given the lack of playing time at the position when Yao is healthy.</div> <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5784456.html" target="_blank"> Source: Houston Chronicle</a>
come on back deke!!!! Real talk Deke really doesn't seem to be slowing down imo. Dude is a perfect example of how if you stay in shape and maintain a passion for the game, then you can play this sport for a very long time........
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Dream @ May 17 2008, 11:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>come on back deke!!!! Real talk Deke really doesn't seem to be slowing down imo. Dude is a perfect example of how if you stay in shape and maintain a passion for the game, then you can play this sport for a very long time........</div> He really needs to come out with a work out video. I'm really curious how he's managed to stay in shape all these years and not have any serious injuries. Possible names for the workout plan: "Get toned and sleak with Deke" "Reach your peak with Deke"
It's amazing that he keeps playing. The dude has to be in some terrific shape to keep coming back year in and year out.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>He really needs to come out with a work out video. I'm really curious how he's managed to stay in shape all these years and not have any serious injuries. Possible names for the workout plan: "Get toned and sleak with Deke" "Reach your peak with Deke"</div> LMAO......I don't know how he does it, but imo he's probably the best backup Center in the NBA with Mourning now gone.............if he doesn't come back here he can definitely help out another team......Celtics could use someone like Deke
I'm totally surprized that his joints can move with his size, and playing in the league for 20 years or whatever. He's a still pretty effective defensive center.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ May 17 2008, 12:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>"Reach your peak with Deke"</div> Kinky
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (L @ May 18 2008, 10:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ May 17 2008, 12:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>"Reach your peak with Deke"</div> Kinky </div> Oh yes. He knows how to use that finger.
